Spring 2014
Answers From the Hummingbird Expert
Update | Teaching Suggestions | Q & A

Ohio
Q: Do hummingbirds hibernate?
A: No. In places where it gets cold in winter, such as Ohio, they migrate south.

Q: How old can hummingbirds get?
A: The record is 12 years. Average is about 4 years.

Q: What are the common colors of hummingbirds?
A: The ones in Ohio are green and white. Adult males have red throats.

Q: How long is the incubation period for hummingbird eggs?
A: About two weeks.

Q: What is the earliest the feeder should be put up for spring for northern Ohio?
A: The second week of April.

Q: If two eggs are laid at the same time, is the survival rate good for both?
A: Like all small songbirds, only about 20% of hummingbird eggs result in chicks that leave the nest. With hummingbirds, there are always two eggs, laid a day or two apart.

Maine
Q: When should we expect hummingbirds to arrive in southern Maine this year (2014)?
A: The first or second week of May.

California
Q: Did I see a Ruby-throated hummingbird here in Southern California? I posted photos of a hummingbird that had flown into my yard. According to the migration map, they are not found in my location. If not a ruby-throated, what kind of hummingbird did I see?
A: It was probably an Anna's Hummingbird. You won't see a Ruby-throated Hummingbird west of the Great Plains.

Maryland
Q: When should I put nesting material outside, and what is the best location? I live in Maryland and purchased hummingbird nesting material, and don't know when to put it outside.
A: The first females arrive the middle of April, and they get right to work. I like to hang nesting material under an eave, below a plastic pie plate to discourage larger birds.

Q: How can I attract hummingbirds to my garden, other than providing the nectar in feeders, planting hummer friendly flowers, and providing nesting material?
A: Half of their diet is bugs, so don't use insecticides in your yard.

Q: When do hummingbirds breed?
A: Late April to July in Maryland.

Texas
Q: Are the red plastic domes that go about the feeders helpful? I purchased several of the domes and used them last year, but didn't see any noticeable increase in activity.
A: They might help keep rain off, but I don't think they will attract more birds.

Q: Do the plastic domes for feeds block the overhead view for the birds, making them more vulnerable to predators?
A: No, I don't think so.

Ontario
Q: What is the best positioning for a feeder in terms of visibility, trees, flowers and sun?
A: Hang your feeders where you can enjoy them. All of mine are just outside windows, so I can watch from indoors. The birds will use them wherever you place them.

Q: How far apart should the feeders be placed?
A: If you have less than 10-15 visitors at a time, place them out of sight of each other. With more birds, hang them together in a cluster. Don't be afraid to experiment.

Pennsylvania
Q: How much of an effect will the 2014 winter's polar vortex have on Ruby-Throated migration? Will these polar conditions delay the migration?
A: No, all that will be over long before they reach you. The farther north you live, the more year-to-year variation in arrival dates happen due to weather, but it is the weather that birds encounter enroute.

Q: How likely do hummingbirds return to the same breeding grounds throughout their lifetime? I've seen the same male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird since 2011. He was born at this location. How likely is it that he will return considering the average lifespan?
A: Quite likely. Birds that survive their first round-trip migration tend to beat the average handily.